Deuce Bello will transfer from Baylor’s hoop program

Baylor sophomore guard Deuce Bello has announced he will be transferring from the Bears’ program.

Bello, a 6-foot-4 native of Greensboro, N.C., averaged 2.4 points and 1.4 rebounds in 36 games for the Bears last season. His primary role was as a defensive stopper for big guards and small forwards. He was a former high-school teammate of Quincy Miller, who left the Baylor program after one season.

Despite his struggles at Baylor, he is known for his freakish athleticism and dunking ability. When he was a high school senior Dime Magazine famously ranked him as the No. 19 dunker in the world.

His playing time disappeared late in the season. Bello averaged only 5.3 minutes in Baylor’s final three NIT games, including a five-minute stint in the Bears’ NIT championship victory over Iowa. He failed to score in either of Baylor’s final two games of the season.

“We wouldn’t have been able to make it to the Elite Eight in 2012 or win this year’s NIT championship without the contributions of Deuce Bello,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “Baylor Nation is thankful for the two years he spent here, and we wish him nothing but the best as he moves forward with his collegiate career.”

Bello’s future destination is unknown, although he strongly considered Florida State, Louisville, Oklahoma and Wake Forest out of high school.

Even with the loss of Big 12 leading scorer and assist producer Pierre Jackson, Bello’s hopes for playing time next season appeared limited with the return of Brady Heslip and Gary Franklin in front of him, along with the addition of new guards Al Freeman, Ishmail Wainright and Kenny Cherry.